Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds?

Cadmium and cadmium compounds are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer. Exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds can cause cancer of the lung and may cause cancer of the prostate and kidney.

Cadmium is also on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Exposure to cadmium may harm a man’s reproductive system. Exposure during pregnancy may affect a child’s development.

Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about significant exposures to listed chemicals.

What is cadmium?

Cadmium is a metal that is found in nature and used in many industries and products. For example, rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, labeled NiCd or NiCad, contain cadmium, and are used to power many products, such as cameras, cell phones, and electric cars.

How does exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds occur?

Cigarette and other tobacco smoke is the most common way people are exposed to cadmium. Tobacco plants easily absorb cadmium from soil.

Certain industrial processes, such as metal coating and smelting, can release cadmium into the air.

Some inexpensive metal jewelry, such as charms intended for children, can cause exposure to cadmium by touching and mouthing the jewelry.

Cadmium can be released into food and beverages from some bright red, yellow and orange pigments used in decorative paints on some glassware, tableware and pottery.

Small amounts of cadmium are sometimes detected in water and food, which people may consume. California limits the amount of cadmium allowed in publicly supplied drinking water.

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